A glamorous fund-raising gala dinner organised by Sinclair Group has helped cancer sufferer and campaigner Craig Maxwell smash through his £2 million target to help others in Wales.
Around 750 guests including businesspeople, entrepreneurs, celebrities, members of Sinclair’s team and Maxwell’s family gathered at the black tie event at Celtic Manor Resort to celebrate Craig Maxwell and help raise money to exceed his £2m target for charities including Velindre Cancer Care, a specialist centre in Cardiff for cancer patients across south Wales.
Maxwell had already raised £1.7m through intense fund-raising activity since he was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer in 2022 at the age of 40, and the Sinclair Group committed that the event, branded ‘Destination £2m’, would get him to his goal.
Raised £631,000
It did even better. In total, the gala raised an incredible £631,000, taking Maxwell’s total to £2.3m. The target was reached through ticket and table sales, donations and a highly impressive auction, which included hospitality tickets to F1 Silverstone, centre court tickets and hospitality for Wimbledon, and a private dining experience with two-Michelin-star chef Gareth Ward. There were also an array of raffle prizes, which included a brand new Breitling watch.
Sinclair Group covered the costs of setting up the event.
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During the night, an emotional interview with Craig Maxwell revealed that the father-of-two’s cancer has now spread to the extent that he can no longer complete the sponsored physical treks and challenges which had got him well along the way to his fund-raising target.
As a consequence, he made an appeal for people in Wales to form teams to participate in the next charity endeavour. The Maxwell Everest Challenge will take place next year at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, where teams will climb the upper tier staircases 447 times until they reach the equivalent height of Everest (8,848 metres). Already, more than 77 teams of people have signed up.
The money from the Sinclair Group event, along with everything Maxwell has previously raised, will help families across Wales facing cancer have access to faster diagnosis and better opportunities for treatment.
Star-studded with rugby celebrities
Hosting the evening was TV host and good friend of Craig’s, Gethin Jones. Celebrity guests included rugby legends Nigel Owens, Scott Quinnell, Josh Navidi, Lauren Salter, and George North, who all have personal relationships with Craig and have supported his fundraising efforts over the years too.
Andy Sinclair, managing director at Sinclair Group said: “I’m so proud to see so many people come together to celebrate and support my good friend, Craig and the Maxwell Family Fund. He is an absolute superhuman who is creating the most extraordinary legacy. Our fundraising tonight was more than double what we estimated, and my biggest thank you goes to everyone who joined us – it’s certainly been a night to remember.”
Gethin Jones added: “To raise over £2 million is quite a remarkable feat. At the heart of it is one man, his family and an extraordinary determination to turn the toughest circumstances into something positive for others. I can’t tell you how proud I am to be a friend of Craig.”
Craig Maxwell said: “I’m genuinely overwhelmed by the generosity and kindness shown by everyone. To have raised £631,000 in one evening and taken our fundraising total beyond £2.3 million is something I could never have imagined when this journey began.
“What means the most to me is knowing that this money will make a real difference to people and families facing cancer, giving others hope and support when they need it most.
“I cannot thank Andy Sinclair and the entire team enough for what they have done. The kindness, effort and love that went into making this evening happen is something my family and I will never forget.
“To everyone who joined us, donated, supported us and stood alongside me throughout this journey, thank you. You have given me and my family memories we will cherish forever, and together we are making a difference that will last far beyond tonight.”
When Maxwell first started fundraising, his initial target was £300,000, so exceeding £2m is an extraordinary effort, leaving the greatest legacy for his family and helping so many people who are going through cancer treatment.
Anyone wishing to support Craig’s fundraising can donate here.